What has happened to the middle class? Author Joel Kotkin says the issue of class itself eats at the fabric of America. Sociologist Chad Broughton offers a case study of how NAFTA helped destroy middle class jobs in manufacturing. And Bill Press talks with progressive strategist Brad Woodhouse about 2016.

December 14, 2014Joel Kotkin on the issue of class in America … Chad Broughton on the loss of middle class jobs … and Bill Press with political strategist Brad Woodhouse.

Joel Kotkin Joel Kotkin is an internationally recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends. He says the issue of class – and the widening income gap – is destroying the American economy.

Chad BroughtonHow did America lose one-third of its manufacturing jobs in just 10 years? Sociologist Chad Broughton uses the move of a huge Maytag plant to Mexico as an example of NAFTA helping to wreck the lower middle class.

Brad WoodhouseBill Press and his guest, political strategist Brad Woodhouse.

What went so wrong in the midterm elections, and what can Democrats do about it? Party strategist Celinda Lake says get an economic message. As the nation celebrates Veterans Day, former ambassador and Under Secretary of State Robert Hormats says foreign policy has to be bipartisan. And Bill Press talks with Zeke Miller of Time Magazine.

November 9, 2014Celinda Lake on the Democrats’ drubbing, former diplomat Robert Hormats on bipartisanship in foreign policy, and Bill Press interviews Zeke Miller of Time Magazine.

Celinda LakeThe midterm elections did not produce the outcomes progressives worked for, but Democratic strategist Celinda Lake has some thoughts on how the party can recover the next time around.

Robert Hormats Foreign policy is too important to be caught up in partisan politics, says former Under Secretary of State Robert Hormats. He also has some thoughts about what went wrong in Iraq.

What role does God play in elections? Political scientist David O’Connell has some surprising findings. Or maybe not so surprising. Antitrust expert Sandeep Vaheesan explains how our economic system has fallen into the hands of monopolists, and it isn’t only Republicans to blame. And Bill Press talks with Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison.

November 2, 2014O’Connell on presidents and religion, Vaheesan on how corporations play monopoly with our money, and Bill Press interviews Congressman Keith Ellison.

David O’ConnellThe voters speak every two years, and some politicians say God speaks on the same timetable – to them or to the public. Professor David O’Connell has evidence that when presidents, at least, invoke religion to change public opinion, the higher authority turns out to be the voters themselves.

Sandeep Vaheesan The Reagan Administration left behind a pro-monopoly business environment, enforced by activist conservative judges, that is helping to widen income inequality today. Antitrust expert Sandeep Vaheesan says Democrats share the blame.’

Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the "powers that be on behalf of the powers that ought to be."

Twice elected Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Hightower believes that the true political spectrum is not right to left but top to bottom, and he has become a leading national voice for the 90 percent of the public who no longer find themselves within shouting distance of the Washington and Wall Street powers at the top.

As political columnist Molly Ivins said, "If Will Rogers and Mother Jones had a baby, Jim Hightower would be that rambunctious child — mad as hell, with a sense of humor."

To read his latest commentaries and subscribe to his monthly Hightower Lowdown, go to www.JimHightower.com.